Game system including slot machines and game control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A slot machine includes: a plurality of communication interfaces connectable to cellular phones of players; and a game controller for executing a game executed simultaneously by a plurality of persons under a condition where start signals of the game are received from the connected cellular phones of the plurality of players, transmitting and receiving data of the game to and from the cellular phones of the players, and at the same time, displaying, on a display of the slot machine, image data indicating game information shared in the game, and transmitting image data, indicating game information individual to the players in the game, to the cellular phones of the players.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a game system including slot machines and a game control method thereof.

2. Related Art

In recent years, an online game played by using mobile terminals such as cellular phones has been known (for example, refer to WO 2003/017214, WO 2003/027792, and the like). It is possible for players to purchase a commodity product by points acquired by playing the online game, and to exchange the points for cash. Accordingly, the players can obtain economic gains depending on a result of the game.

The present invention provides novel slot machines coupled with the cellular phones as described above, and a novel system and method for coupling the slot machines and the cellular phones with each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the present invention a slot machine includes: a plurality of communication interfaces connectable to cellular phones of players; a memory for storing a program of a slot machine game and a program of a game different from the slot machine game and executed simultaneously by a plurality of persons; a display for displaying image data of the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, by executing the program stored in the memory; and a game controller, connected to the cellular phones of the plurality of players, for executing the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons under a condition where start signals of the game are received from the connected cellular phones of the plurality of players, transmitting and receiving data of the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons to and from the cellular phones of the players, and at the same time, displaying, on the display, image data indicating game information shared by the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, and transmitting image data indicating game information individual to the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, to the cellular phones of the players.

In the slot machine of the first aspect of the present invention, the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons is executed under the condition where the start signals of the game are received from the connected cellular phones of the plurality of players, the data of the game is transferred between the cellular phones of the players and the slot machine concerned, and at the same time, the image data indicating the game information shared in the game is displayed on the display of the slot machine, and the image data indicating the game information individual to the players in the game is transmitted to the cellular phones of the players.

In a second aspect of the present invention a slot machine includes: a plurality of communication interfaces communicably connected to a monitoring server for monitoring operating status of an entirety of a plurality of the slot machines and connectable to cellular phones of players; a memory for storing a program of a slot machine game and a program of a game different from the slot machine game and executed simultaneously by a plurality of persons; a display for displaying image data of the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, by executing the program stored in the memory; and a game controller for receiving data indicating the operating status from the monitoring server, by being connected to the cellular phones of the plurality of players, executing the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons under conditions where a value of the received data, indicating the operating status, is of a predetermined value or less, and start signals of the game are received from the connected cellular phones of the plurality of players, transmitting and receiving data of the game, executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, to and from the cellular phones of the players, and at the same time, displaying, on the display, image data indicating game information shared by the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, and transmitting image data indicating game information individual to the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, to the cellular phones of the players.

In the slot machine of the second aspect of the present invention, the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons is executed under the conditions where the value of the data indicating the operating status of the entirety of the slot machines is of a predetermined value or less, and the start signals of the game are received from the connected cellular phones of the plurality of players, the data of the game is transferred between the cellular phones of the players and the slot machine concerned, and at the same time, the image data indicating the game information shared in the game is displayed on the display of the slot machine, and the image data indicating the game information individual to the players in the game is transmitted to the cellular phones of the players.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration formed of slot machines according to an embodiment of the present invention and instruments connected to the slot machines;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing exterior appearances of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention and the cellular phone when the slot machine and the cellular phone are connected to each other;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view enlargedly showing display areas of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of a controller of a video reel slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a liquid crystal display of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention in a state of being viewed from a back surface side thereof;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a part of the liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of a controller of a mechanical reel slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of a display/input controller of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a processing operation in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a view showing a screen according to the embodiment of the present invention, which indicates that a start of a mahjong game is not permitted;

FIG. 12 is a view showing an input screen according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is for starting the mahjong game;

FIG. 13 is a view showing a screen according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is common to players; and

FIG. 14 is a view showing a screen according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is individual to one player.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A description will be made of a schematic construction of slot machines 13 according to this embodiment based on FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a relationship among the slot machines 13 according to the present invention, a plurality of cellular phones 300, and a monitoring server 500.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state of playing a game by the slot machine 13 according to the present invention and the cellular phone 300 when the slot machine 13 and the cellular phone 300 are connected to each other. In this embodiment, a description will be made of a state of playing a mahjong game as an example of the game played in this case.

In the block diagram shown in FIG. 1, the plural slot machines 13 are individually connected to the plurality of cellular phones 300 through external connection devices 170 (refer to FIG. 2). Moreover, the plural slot machines 13 are connected to a monitoring server 500 through a network 600. Each slot machine 13 is a slot machine with which it is possible for a player to play a basic game thereon or the mahjong game thereon.

The monitoring server 500 monitors operating status (operating ratio) of the entirety of the plurality of slot machines connected to the network 600. The monitoring server 500 can allow the mahjong game to be played as long as a data value indicating the operating status of the entirety of the slot machines 13 is a predetermined value (for example, 50%) or less.

Here, the data value indicating the operating status of the plurality of slot machines 13 refers to a ratio of the slot machines 13 where the game (including the game intrinsic to the slot machine, the mahjong game, and the like) is actually played among the slot machines 13 connected to the network 600.

When the data value indicating the operating status exceeds the predetermined value, the number of players capable of playing the game intrinsic to the slot machine is decreased, and accordingly, the mahjong game is not allowed to be played.

In particular, with reference to FIG. 2, when the slot machine 13 and the cellular phone 300 are connected to each other through the external connection device 170, the player can execute the mahjong game by operating an operating part 350 of the cellular phone 300. In this embodiment, the mahjong game is played by connecting the plurality of cellular phones 300 to one another through the external connection devices 170; illustration of the other cellular phones 300 is omitted.

Here, the operating part 350 includes a cross key 351, a decision switch 352, and a game end switch 353. The player can execute the mahjong game on the slot machine 13 by operating the cross key 351, the decision switch 352, and the game end switch 353 by his or her hands 200.

A liquid crystal display 80 for a cellular phone is provided on the cellular phone 300 of each player. On the liquid crystal display 80 of the cellular phone, each player's own tiles (hand tiles) are displayed. Meanwhile, on a liquid crystal display 30 of the slot machine 13, discarded tiles, tile stacks, and the like, which are shared by the respective players, are displayed.

As described above, in the present invention, the game is executed by connecting the cellular phone 300 of each player and the slot machine 13 to each other, the hand tiles, which must not be seen by the other players, are displayed on the liquid crystal display 80 for the cellular phone, and the tiles and the like, which are shared by the respective players, are displayed on the liquid crystal display 30 of the slot machine 13. Accordingly, the present invention can provide the slot machine 13 with a new entertainment factor in that the mahjong game is played by connecting the slot machines and the cellular phones to each other.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the slot machine 13 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 13 includes a cabinet 20 and a main door 42. A surface of the cabinet 20, which faces to the player, is made open. In the cabinet 20, a variety of constituent members are provided, which include a controller 100 (refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 8) for electrically controlling the slot machine 13, a hopper 44 (refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 8) for controlling insertion, reservation and disbursement (payout) of coins (game media), and the like. The game media are not limited to the coins, and for example, medals, tokens, electronic money, or electronic valuable information (credit) equivalent thereto may be cited.

The main door 42 is a member for covering the inside of the cabinet 20 so that the inside cannot be exposed to the outside. On an approximate center of the main door 42, the liquid crystal display 30 is provided.

The liquid crystal display 30 is for displaying a variety of images regarding the game, which include effect images and the like. The player advances the game while visually recognizing the variety of images displayed on the liquid crystal display 30. The liquid crystal display 30 includes a transparent liquid crystal panel 34 (refer to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7). The transparent liquid crystal panel 34 is capable of switching a part or the entirety thereof between a transparent state and an opaque state, and capable of displaying the variety of images. Note that a detailed construction of the liquid crystal display 30 will be described later.

When the slot machine 13 is composed of video reels, five virtual reels are displayed on the liquid crystal display 30. Note that the video reels are reels to be displayed as images on the liquid crystal display 30 in place of mechanical reels. As plural types of symbols necessary for a basic game, respective symbols: “BONUS”, “WILD”, “TREASURE BOX”, “GOLDEN MASK”, “HOLY CUP”, “COMPASS & MAP”, “SNAKE”, “A”, “K”, “Q”, “J”, and “10” are displayed together with images, as if the reels were rotating.

Meanwhile, when the slot machine 13 is configured from the mechanical reels, on a back surface side of the liquid crystal display 30, five mechanical reels 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E (refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6), each of which has an outer circumferential surface on which the plural types of symbols are drawn, are rotatably provided side by side in line. The mechanical reels 3A to 3E are configured to display the plural symbols together with stepping motors 45A, 45B, 45C, 45D and 45E (refer to FIG. 8) and the like to be described later. On outer circumferential surfaces of the mechanical reels 3A to 3E, the plural types of symbols as described above, which are necessary for the basic game, are drawn. The variety of symbols of the respective mechanical reels 3A to 3E become visually recognizable when the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 turns to the transparent state.

A substantially horizontal operating part 21 is provided below the liquid crystal display 30. On the right side of the operating part 21, a coin insertion slot 22 for inserting the coins into the slot machine 13 is provided. On the other hand, on the left side of the operating part 21, there are provided: a BET switch 23 for deciding which of lines L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, and L9, for awarding nine prizes, described later, are to be validated, and for selecting the number of coins, as the game media, to be bet on the line for awarding the validated prize (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “winning line”); and a spin/repeat/bet switch 24 for replaying the game without changing the number of coins bet on the above-described winning line in a game before the current one. The BET switch 23 or the spin/repeat/bet switch 24 is pressed, and the number of coins to be bet on the above-described winning line is thereby decided in response to such a pressing operation.

In the above-described operating part 21, a start switch 25 for receiving a starting operation of the basic game for each game from the player is provided on the left side of the BET switch 23. A pressing operation for either one of the start switch 25 or the spin/repeat/bet switch 24 becomes a trigger for the start of the game, and the above-described five mechanical reels 3A to 3E start to rotate.

On the other hand, in the above-described operating part 21, a cash-out switch 26 is provided in the vicinity of the coin insertion slot 22. When the player presses the cash-out switch 26, the inserted coins are paid out from a coin payout port 27 opened on a lower portion of a front surface of the main door 42. The paid-out coins are reserved in a coin tray 28. Above the coin tray 28 and on both right and left sides of the coin payout port 27, sound transmitting ports 29 for transmitting, to the outside of cabinet 20, sound effects emitted from speakers 41 (refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 8) housed inside the cabinet 20 are provided.

A substantially vertical connecting part 121 is provided below the operating part 21. On the right side of the connecting part 121, the plural external connecting devices 170 are provided. The external connecting devices 170 are composed so as to be connectable to the cellular phones 300 of the players.

FIG. 4 is a view showing, in enlarged fashion, display areas of the slot machine 13. The liquid crystal display 30 of the slot machine 13 includes a front panel 31 and the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 (refer to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) provided on a back surface of the front panel 31. The front panel 31 is composed to include a transparent display surface 31 a and a picture pattern-formed area 31 b on which a picture pattern is formed. Image information displayed on the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 provided on the back surface of the front panel 31 can be visually recognized through the display surface 31 a of the front panel 31. On the other hand, when an area of the above-described transparent liquid crystal display panel 34 is in the transparent state, the respective symbols of the five mechanical reels 3A to 3E arranged behind the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 can be visually recognized through the display surface 31 a. Note that when the slot machine 13 is composed of the video reels, the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 may have the opaque state, and the image reels may be displayed thereon, or alternatively, not the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 but a liquid crystal panel only may be used.

On a back surface side of the left side of the liquid crystal display 30, a variety of display parts, being a number-of-payouts display part 48, a number-of-credits display part 49, and a number-of-BETs display part 50, are provided. Note that in the picture pattern-formed area 31 b of the front panel, a portion thereof, covering fronts of the above-described variety of display parts 48 to 50, is transparent, through which display contents of the variety of display parts 48 to 50 are visually recognizable.

As shown in FIG. 4, the slot machine 13 includes the lines L1 to L9 for awarding the nine prizes. Each of the lines L1 to L9 for awarding the respective prizes is extended so as to pass through one symbol of each of the mechanical reels 3A to 3E when all the mechanical reels 3A to 3E stop rotating, or when the five video reels stop.

When the above-described BET switch 23 is pressed once, for example, the line L3 for awarding the third prize, the line L5 for awarding the fifth prize, and the line L7 for awarding the seventh prize are validated, and one coin is captured as a credit medal.

When the above-described BET switch 23 is pressed twice, in addition to the above-described three lines, for example, the line L1 for awarding the first prize, the line L4 for awarding the fourth prize, and the line L8 for awarding the eighth prize are validated, and two coins are captured as the credit medals.

When the above-described BET switches 23 are pressed three times, in addition to the above-described six lines, for example, the line L2 for awarding the second prize, the line L6 for awarding the sixth prize, and the line L9 for awarding the ninth prize are validated, and three coins are captured as the credit medals.

The number-of-payouts display part 48 is for displaying the number of paid-out coins when a combination for awarding the prize is established along the winning line. The number-of-credits display part 49 is for displaying the number of credited coins stored in the slot machine 13. The number-of-BETs display part 50 is for displaying the number of BETs as the number of coins bet on the above-described winning line. The variety of display parts 48 to 50 are composed by including 7-segment displays. Alternatively, images of the variety of display parts 48 to 50 may be adapted to be displayed on the transparent liquid crystal panel 34.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electric construction of the controller 100 of the slot machine 13 including the video reels. Note that the slot machine 13 including the mechanical reels is shown in FIG. 8, to be described later. As shown in FIG. 5, the controller 100 of the slot machine 13 is a microcomputer, and includes an interface circuit group 102, an input/output bus 104, a CPU 106, a ROM 108, a RAM 110, a communication interface circuit 111, a random number generator 112, a speaker drive circuit 122, a hopper drive circuit 124, a display part drive circuit 128, and a display/input controller 140.

The interface circuit group 102 is connected to the input/output bus 104, and the input/output bus 104 receives and outputs a data signal or an address signal from and to the CPU 106.

To the interface circuit group 102, the start switch 25 is connected. A start signal outputted from the start switch 25 is converted into a predetermined signal in the interface circuit group 102, and then supplied to the input/output bus 104.

To the interface circuit group 102, the BET switch 23, the spin/repeat/bet switch 24, and the cash-out switch 26 are also connected. The respective switching signals outputted from these switches 23, 24 and 26 are also supplied to the interface circuit group 102, converted into predetermined signals by the interface circuit group 102, and then supplied to the input/output bus 104.

To the interface circuit group 102, a coin sensor 43 is also connected. The coin sensor 43 is a sensor for detecting the coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 22, and is provided in association with the coin insertion slot 22. A sensing signal outputted from the coin sensor 43 is also supplied to the interface circuit group 102, converted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuit group 102, and then supplied to the input/output bus 104.

To the interface circuit group 102, the external connection device 170 is also connected. The external connection device 170 is connected to the cellular phone 300, thus enabling the cellular phone 300 and the slot machine 13 to communicate with each other. However, not one but the plurality of external connection devices 170 are connected to the interface circuit group 102 (the other external connection devices are not shown).

To the input/output bus 104, the ROM 108 and the RAM 110 are connected.

The CPU 106 reads out a basic game program and executes the basic game on an occasion at which the starting operation of the basic game is received through the start switch 25. The basic game program is programmed so that the liquid crystal display 30 can be allowed through the display/input controller 140 to display a start for scrolling the symbols of the five video reels, and then to display a stop for the five video reels, so as to rearrange the symbols of the five video reels, and so that, when a combination of the symbols stopped at that time is shown on the winning line and represents a specific combination for awarding the prize, coins corresponding to the specific combination for awarding the prize can be paid out.

Moreover, the CPU 106 receives a start signal of the mahjong game from the cellular phone 300 through the external connection device 170, and thereby reads out a mahjong game program and executes the mahjong game.

In the ROM 108, there are stored a control program for comprehensively controlling the slot machine 13, a program for executing a routine shown in FIG. 10 (hereinafter, referred to as a “routine execution program”), initial data for executing the control program, and a variety of data tables for use in a decision process. Note that the routine execution program includes the above-described basic game program, the mahjong game program, and the like. The RAM 110 temporarily stores flags, values of variables, and the like for use in the above-described control program.

To the input/output bus 104, the communication interface circuit 111 is also connected. The communication interface circuit 111 is a circuit for making communication with the monitoring server 500 through the network 600 including a variety of LAN networks. In this embodiment, the CPU 106 receives data on the operating status (operating ratio) of the entirety of the slot machine 13 connected to the network 600 from the monitoring server 500 via the communication interface circuit 111.

To the input/output bus 104, the random number generator 112 is also connected. The random number generator 112 generates random numbers contained in numeric values within a fixed range, for example, in “0” to “65535 (2¹⁶−1)”. Alternatively, the random number generator 112 may be composed so as to generate the random numbers by computational processes of the CPU 106.

To the input/output bus 104, the display part drive circuit 128 for driving the above-described variety of display parts 48 to 50 is also connected. The CPU 106 controls movements of the above-described variety of display parts 48 to 50 through the display part drive circuit 128 in response to an occurrence of a predetermined event.

To the input/output bus 104, the speaker drive circuit 122 for driving the speakers 41 is also connected. The CPU 106 reads out sound data stored in the ROM 108, and transmits the readout sound data to the speaker drive circuit 122 through the input/output bus 104. In such a way, predetermined sound effects are emitted from the speakers 41.

To the input/output bus 104, the hopper drive circuit 124 for driving the hopper 44 is also connected. Upon receiving a cash-out signal from the cash-out switch 26, the CPU 106 outputs a drive signal to the hopper drive circuit 124 through the input/output bus 104. In such a way, the hopper 44 pays out coins equivalent to the residual number of credits at that point of time, which is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 110.

To the input/output bus 104, the display/input controller 140 is also connected. The CPU 106 creates an image display instruction corresponding to a state of the game and a result of the game, and outputs the created image display instruction to the display/input controller 140 through the input/output bus 104. Upon receiving the image display instruction from the CPU 106, the display/input controller 140 creates a drive signal for driving the liquid crystal display 30 based on the image display instruction thus received, and outputs the created drive signal to the liquid crystal display 30. In such a way, a predetermined image is displayed on the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 of the liquid crystal display 30. The display/input controller 140 transmits, as an input signal, a signal inputted on a touch panel 32 on the liquid crystal display 30 to the CPU 106 through the input/output bus 104.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are views for showing the construction of the liquid crystal display 30 of the slot machine 13. The liquid crystal display 30 displays a game image regarding the basic game. Therefore, the liquid crystal display 30 is composed of a front panel 31 including the touch panel 32 and a display plate 33, the transparent liquid crystal panel 34, a light guide plate 35, a reflection film 36, fluorescent lamps 37 a, 37 b, 38 a and 38 b as so-called white light sources, lamp holders 39 a, 39 b, 39 c, 39 d, 39 e, 39 f, 39 g and 39 h, and a table carrier package (TCP) on which an IC for driving the transparent liquid crystal panel is mounted. Note that, though the TCP is not particularly shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the TCP is composed of a flexible board (not shown) connected to a terminal part of the transparent liquid crystal panel 34, and the like.

The liquid crystal display 30 is provided on a front side of the display areas of the mechanical reels 3A to 3E (on a front side of the display surface 31 a) so as to straddle the mechanical reels 3A to 3E. The mechanical reels 3A to 3E and the liquid crystal display 30 are provided so as to be spaced from each other at a predetermined interval. Note that in the case of the video reels, the image reels are displayed on the liquid crystal display 30 in place of the mechanical reels 3A to 3E.

The touch panel 32 is composed of a transparent member. The display plate 33 is composed of a transparent member. On the display plate 33, the picture pattern and the like are formed at a position corresponding to an area between the display plate 33 and the above-described variety of display parts 48 to 50, and the like. Specifically, the area of the display plate 33, where the picture pattern and the like are formed, is the picture pattern-formed area 31 b on the front panel 31, and on the other hand, an area of the display plate 33, where the picture pattern and the like are not formed, is the display surface 31 a on the front panel 31 (refer to FIG. 4). Alternatively, the entire surface of the front panel 31 may be made as the display surface 31 a without forming the picture pattern-formed area 31 b on the front panel 31. In this case, the picture pattern just needs not to be formed on the display plate 33, or the display plate 33 just needs to be omitted.

In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, an electric circuit and the like for operating the variety of display parts 48 to 50 arranged on a back surface side of the display plate 33 are not shown.

The transparent liquid crystal panel 34 is formed by sealing liquid crystal into a gap part between a transparent substrate such as a glass plate on which a thin-film transistor layer is formed and a transparent substrate opposite thereto. A display mode of the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 is set to be normally white. The normally white color refers to that the display turns white in a state where the liquid crystal is not driven (light transmitting to a display surface side is visually recognizable from the outside). As described above, the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 set to be normally white is employed, and thus a varying display and a still display of the respective symbols of the mechanical reels 3A to 3E can be visually recognized even if a situation where the liquid crystal cannot be driven occurs. Accordingly, the player can continue the game. Specifically, even if such a situation as described above occurs, the game in which the rearrangement of the symbols of the respective mechanical reels 3A to 3E is necessary can be played.

The light guide plate 35 is for guiding the light from the florescent lamps 37 a and 37 b to the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 (in other words, for illuminating the transparent liquid crystal panel 34), and is composed of a transparent member (having a light guide function) of acrylic resin or the like, which is provided on a back side of the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 and has a thickness of, for example, approximately 2 cm.

For the reflection film 36, for example, a white polyester film or an aluminum thin film is used, on which a silver-deposited film is formed. The reflection film 36 reflects the light guided into the light guide plate 35 toward a front surface side of the light guide plate 35. The reflection film 36 is composed of a reflection area 36A and a non-reflection area (transmission area) 36B. The non-reflection area 36B is formed of a transparent material, and provided on an area including a part of the front panel 31, which covers fronts of the mechanical reels 3A to 3E.

The fluorescent lamps 37 a and 37 b are arranged along an upper end part and lower end part of the light guide plate 35, and both ends thereof are supported by the lamp holders 39 a, 39 b, 39 g and 39 h. Light irradiated from the fluorescent lamps 37 a and 37 b is reflected on the reflection area 36A of the reflection film 36, and illuminates the transparent liquid crystal panel 34. On the other hand, the fluorescent lamps 38 a and 38 b are arranged toward the mechanical reels 3A to 3E at an upper position and a lower position on a back side of the reflection film 36, and both ends thereof are supported by the lamp holders 39 c, 39 d, 30 e and 39 f. Light emitted from the fluorescent lamps 38 a and 38 b, reflected on the surfaces of the mechanical reels 3A to 3E, and made incident onto the non-reflection area 36B illuminates the transparent liquid crystal panel 34. As described above, in the liquid crystal display 30, the transparent liquid crystal panel 34 is illuminated by the light irradiated from the fluorescent lamps 37 a and 37 b, and further reflected on the reflection area 36A of the reflection film 36, and the light irradiated from the fluorescent lamps 38 a and 38 b, further reflected on the surfaces of the mechanical reels 3A to 3E, and made incident on the non-reflection area 36B. Hence, the area of the liquid crystal display 30, which corresponds to the non-reflection area 36B of the reflection film 36, is an area switched between the transparent state and the opaque state depending on whether or not the liquid crystal is driven. On the other hand, the area of the liquid crystal display 30, which corresponds to the reflection area 36A of the reflection film 36, turns to the opaque state no matter whether or not the liquid crystal is driven.

In the slot machine 13, only the partial area of the display surface of the liquid crystal display 30 is made as the area switched between the transparent state and the opaque state. However, the entire area of the display screen of the liquid crystal display 30 may be made as the area switched between the transparent state and the opaque state. As described above, when the entire area of the liquid crystal display 30 is made as the area switched to the transparent state or the opaque state, the reflection film 36 just needs to be made entirely as the non-reflection area 36B, or the reflection film 36 just needs to be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electric construction of the controller 100 of the slot machine 13 with the mechanical reels. As shown in FIG. 8, the controller 100 of the slot machine 13 is a microcomputer, and includes the interface circuit group 102, the input/output bus 104, the CPU 106, the ROM 108, the RAM 110, the communication interface circuit 111, the random number generator 112, a motor drive circuit 120, the speaker drive circuit 122, the hopper drive circuit 124, the display part drive circuit 128, and the display/input controller 140. Note that since the construction in this case is mainly the same as that in the case of the video reels described in FIG. 5, a description will be made here only of parts different from those in the case of the video reels described in FIG. 5.

To the interface circuit group 102, a reel position detection circuit 46 is connected. The reel position detection circuit 46 is a circuit for detecting rotational positions of the respective mechanical reels 3A to 3E based on pulse signals from reel position detection sensors (not shown). Such detection signals from the reel position detection circuit 46 are also supplied to the interface circuit group 102, converted into predetermined signals by the interface circuit group 102, and then supplied to the input/output bus 104.

The CPU 106 reads out a basic game program and executes the basic game on an occasion that the starting operation of the basic game is received through the start switch 25. The basic game program is programmed so that the respective stepping motors 45A to 45E can be allowed to be driven to rotate all the mechanical reels 3A to 3E, thereby starting to scroll the symbols of the reels 3A to 3E, and the respective stepping motors 45A to 45E can be allowed to then stop driving, to stop the rotations of all the mechanical reels 3A to 3E, thereby rearranging the symbols of the reels 3A to 3E, so that, when a combination of the symbols stopped at that time is shown on the winning line and represents a specific combination for the prize award, coins corresponding to the specific combination for the prize award can be paid out.

Moreover, the CPU 106 also controls a second game. Therefore, in the case where a predetermined condition is satisfied at the time when the symbols of all the mechanical reels 3A to 3E are still in the display, the CPU 106 transmits a signal for executing the second game.

To the input/output bus 104, the motor drive circuit 120 for driving the stepping motors 45A to 45E is also connected. The CPU 106 controls movements of the stepping motors 45A to 45E through the motor drive circuit 120 in response to an occurrence of a predetermined event.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electric construction of the display/input controller 140 of the slot machine 13. The display/input controller 140 of the slot machine 13 is a sub-microcomputer for performing image display processing and control for an input from the touch panel 32. The display/input controller 140 includes an interface circuit 142, an input/output bus 144, a CPU 146, a ROM 148, a RAM 150, a VDP 152, a video RAM 154, an image data ROM 156, a drive circuit 158, and a touch panel control circuit 160.

The interface circuit 142 is connected to the input/output bus 144. The image display instruction outputted from the CPU 106 on the above-described controller 100 side is supplied to the input/output bus 144 through the interface circuit 142. The input/output bus 144 receives and outputs a data signal or an address signal from and to the CPU 146.

To the input/output bus 144, the ROM 148 and the RAM 150 are connected. In the ROM 148, a display control program for creating a drive signal supplied to the liquid crystal display 30 based on the image display instruction from the CPU 106 on the above-described controller 100 side is stored. On the other hand, in the RAM 150, flags, values of variables, and the like, for use in the above-described display control program are stored.

To the input/output bus 144, the VDP 152 is also connected. The VDP 152 is a processing device including a so-called sprite circuit, a screen circuit, a pallet circuit, and the like, and is capable of performing a variety of processing for displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 30. To the VDP 152, there are connected the video RAM 154 for storing image data corresponding to the image display instruction from the CPU 106 on the above-described controller 100 side, and the image data ROM 156 storing a variety of image data including effect image data as described above, and the like. Moreover, to the VDP 152, the drive circuit 158 outputting a drive signal for driving the liquid crystal display 30 is also connected.

The above-described CPU 146 reads and executes the display control program stored in the ROM 148, and thereby allows the video RAM 154 to store the image data displayed on the liquid crystal display 30 in response to the image display instruction from the CPU 106 on the above-described controller 100 side. The image display instruction includes a variety of image display instructions including a display instruction for the above-described effect image.

The image data ROM 156 stores a variety of image data including the data of the above-described effect image, and the like.

The touch panel control circuit 160 transmits, as an input signal, a signal inputted on the touch panel 32 on the liquid crystal display 30 to the CPU 106 through the input/output bus 144.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a series of processes from start of the execution of the mahjong game to an end thereof, which is executed by the controller 100 of the slot machine 13.

In Step S1, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the plurality of players is connected to the cellular phones 300, through a communication interface. Specifically, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the slot machine 13 is connected to the cellular phones 300 through the external connection devices 170, then moves the processing to Step S2 when such connection is established, and ends this routine when the connection is not established.

In Step S2, the CPU 106 receives, from the monitoring server 500, the data indicating the operating status (operating ratio) of the entire slot machines 13, and moves the processing to Step S3. Specifically, the CPU 106 receives the data indicating the operating status from the monitoring server 500 through the network 600, and stores the data in the RAM 110.

In Step S3, the CPU 106 determines that the value of the received data indicating the operating status is a predetermined value or less, then moves the processing to Step S5 when the value is the predetermined value (for example, 50%) or less, and moves the processing to Step S4 when the value is not the predetermined value or less.

In Step S4, the CPU 106 displays a screen (refer to FIG. 11) indicating that the start of the mahjong game is not to be permitted, and ends this routine. Specifically, the CPU 106 reads the screen indicating that the start of the mahjong game is not to be permitted, which is stored in the ROM 108, and displays the screen on the liquid crystal display 30 of the slot machine 13.

The screen indicating that the start of the mahjong game is not to be permitted, which is shown in FIG. 11, is displayed on the liquid crystal display 30 when the operating status (operating ratio) of the entire slot machines 13 connected to the network 600 exceeds 50%. Specifically, a message to the effect “Since the operating status of the entire slot machines exceeds 50%, priority is given to the player playing the slot machine game. Therefore, the mahjong game cannot be played.” is displayed.

In Step S5, the CPU 106 transmits input screen data for starting the mahjong game to the cellular phones 300 connected to the slot machine 13, and moves the processing to Step S6. The screen data is transmitted to each of the cellular phones 300, and an input screen for starting the mahjong game, which is shown in FIG. 12, is thereby displayed on each liquid crystal display 80 for the cellular phone. On the input screen for starting the mahjong game, a message to the effect “Do you wish to play the mahjong game?” is displayed. The player operates the cross key 351 provided on the operating part 350 of the cellular phone 300, selects “Yes”, and operates the decision switch 352. In response to these operations, the cellular phone 300 transmits the start signal of the mahjong game to the slot machine 13.

Returning to FIG. 10, in Step S6, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the start signals of the mahjong game have been received from two or more of the plurality of cellular phones 300 connected to the slot machine 13. When the CPU 106 has received the start signals, the processing is moved to Step S8, and otherwise, the processing is moved to Step S7.

In Step S7, the CPU 106 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed, then moves the processing to Step S6 when the predetermined time has not elapsed, and ends this routing when the predetermined time has elapsed.

In Step S8, the CPU 106 performs mahjong game advancing processing. Specifically, the CPU 106 transmits and receives the data of the mahjong game to and from the cellular phones 300 connected to the slot machine 13. In addition, the CPU 106 displays the image data shared by the respective players as a player-shared screen (refer to FIG. 13) on the liquid crystal display 30 of the slot machine 13, and transmits image data individual to the respective players as player-individual screens (refer to FIG. 14) to the cellular phones 300. Thereafter, the CPU 106 moves the processing to Step S9.

Here, the player-shared screen shown in FIG. 13 displays discarded tiles 81, tiles stacks 82, and the like, on the liquid crystal display 30 of the slot machine 13. The respective players can grasp an atmosphere of the mahjong game by seeing the player-shared screen. Moreover, the player-individual screen shown in FIG. 14 displays hand tiles 83 on the liquid crystal display 80 for the cellular phone 300. Each player can plan a strategy for the mahjong game by seeing the hand tiles 83 displayed on the liquid crystal display 80 for his or her cellular phone 300, while seeing the discarded tiles 81, the tile stacks 82, and the like, which are displayed on the liquid crystal display 30 of the slot machine 13.

Returning to FIG. 10, in Step S9, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the mahjong game is ended, then moves the processing to Step S10 when the mahjong game is ended, and moves the processing to Step S8 when the mahjong game is not ended. Specifically, the CPU 106 determines whether or not a signal has been received indicating the game end switch 353 provided on the operating part 350 of the cellular phone 300 operated by the player.

In Step S10, the CPU 106 performs game ending processing. Specifically, the CPU 106 calculates scores of the respective players from data of the hand tiles thereof, and decides who won and who lost. Thereafter, the CPU 106 ends this routine.

As described above, in this embodiment, the game is executed by connecting the cellular phones of the players and the slot machine 13 to each other, the hand tiles which must not been seen by the other players are displayed on the liquid crystal display 80 for the cellular phone, and the tiles shared by the respective players, and the like are displayed on the liquid crystal display 30 of the slot machine 13. Accordingly, the slot machine 13 is equipped with a new entertainment factor in that the mahjong game is played by connecting the slot machines and the cellular phones to each other.

Moreover, the monitoring server 500 monitors the operating status (operating ratio) of the entirety of the plurality of slot machines 13 connected to the network 600. In such a way, as long as the data value indicating the operation status is a predetermined value (for example, 50%) or less, the mahjong game can be played. Therefore, when the data value indicating the operating status exceeds the predetermined value, a damaging effect that the game intrinsic to the slot machine cannot be played can be eliminated.

Furthermore, even in the case of a player who does not play the game intrinsic to the slot machine, the player can play the mahjong game by the slot machine 13, and accordingly, it can be expected that people will gather at a game arcade, enlivening the arcade.

The description has been made above of the embodiment of the game system according to the present invention; the embodiment merely illustrates a specific example, and does not particularly limit the present invention. It is possible to appropriately change specific configurations of each means and the like. Moreover, the effects described in the embodiment of the present invention are merely a list of the most suitable effects generated from the present invention, and the effects derived from the present invention are not limited to the effects described in the embodiment of the present invention.

For example, without being limited to the mahjong game, the present invention can be widely applied to games which require a screen common to players and screens individual to the players, in which it is disadvantageous in the progress thereof for the screens individual to the players to be seen by the other players. Such games include Japanese playing cards called Hanafuda, poker, and the like. 

1. A slot machine, comprising: a plurality of communication interfaces connectable to cellular phones of players; a memory for storing a program of a slot machine game and of a game different from the slot machine game and executed simultaneously by a plurality of persons; a display for displaying image data of the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons by executing the program stored in the memory; and a game controller connected to the cellular phones of the plurality of players, for executing the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons under a condition where start signals of the game are received from the connected cellular phones of the plurality of players, transmitting and receiving data of the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons to and from the cellular phones of the players, and at the same time, displaying, on the display, image data indicating game information shared by the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, and transmitting image data, indicating game information individual to the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, to the cellular phones of the players.
 2. A slot machine, comprising: a plurality of communication interfaces communicably connected to a monitoring server for monitoring operating status of an entirety of a plurality of slot machines, and connectable to cellular phones of players; a memory for storing a program of a slot machine game and of a game different from the slot machine game and executed simultaneously by a plurality of persons; a display for displaying image data of the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons by executing the program stored in the memory; and a game controller for receiving data indicating the operating status from the monitoring server by being connected to the cellular phones of the plurality of players, executing the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons under conditions where a value of the received data indicating the operating status is a predetermined value or less and start signals of the game are received from the connected cellular phones of the plurality of players, transmitting and receiving data of the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons to and from the cellular phones of the players, and at the same time, displaying, on the display, image data indicating game information shared by the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, and transmitting image data, indicating game information individual to the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, to the cellular phones of the players.
 3. A game system, comprising: cellular phones of a plurality of players; and a slot machine; wherein the slot machine comprises: a plurality of communication interfaces connectable to the cellular phones of the plurality of players; a memory for storing a program of a slot machine game and of a game different from the slot machine game and executed simultaneously by a plurality of persons; a display for displaying image data of the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons by executing the program stored in the memory; and a game controller connected to the cellular phones of the plurality of players, and executing the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons under a condition where start signals of the game are received from the connected cellular phones of the plurality of players, transmitting and receiving data of the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons to and from the cellular phones of the players, and at the same time, displaying, on the display, image data indicating game information shared by the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, and transmitting image data, indicating game information individual to the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, to the cellular phones of the players, and wherein each of the cellular phones of the plurality of players comprises: a communication interface connectable to the slot machine; and a game controller connected to the slot machine, for transmitting the start signal of the game to the slot machine, and transmitting and receiving the data of the game, executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, to and from the slot machine, and at the same time, receiving the image data indicating the game information individual to the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, from the slot machine.
 4. A game system, comprising: cellular phones of a plurality of players; a slot machine; and a monitoring server for monitoring operating status of an entirety of a plurality of slot machines; wherein the slot machine comprises: a plurality of communication interfaces connectable to the cellular phones of the plurality of players; a communication interface for executing communication with the monitoring server; a memory for storing a program of a slot machine game and of a game different from the slot machine game and executed simultaneously by a plurality of persons; a display for displaying image data of the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons by executing the program stored in the memory; and a game controller for receiving data indicating the operating status from the monitoring server by being connected to the cellular phones of the plurality of players, executing the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons under conditions where a value of the received data indicating the operating status is a predetermined value or less and start signals of the game are received from the connected cellular phones of the plurality of players, transmitting and receiving data of the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons to and from the cellular phones of the players, and at the same time, displaying, on the display, image data indicating game information shared by the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, and transmitting image data, indicating game information individual to the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, to the cellular phones of the players, and wherein each of the cellular phones of the plurality of players comprises: a communication interface connectable to the slot machine; and a game controller connected to the slot machine, for transmitting the start signal of the game to the slot machine, and transmitting and receiving the data of the game, executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons to and from the slot machine, and at the same time, receiving the image data indicating the game information individual to the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, from the slot machine.
 5. A game control method by which a game controller advances a game in a slot machine including a plurality of communication interfaces connectable to cellular phones of players, a memory for storing a program of a slot machine game and of a game different from the slot machine game and executed simultaneously by a plurality of persons, and a display for displaying image data of the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons by executing the program stored in the memory, the game control method comprising the steps of: executing the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons under conditions where the game controller is connected to the cellular phones of the plurality of players, and start signals of the game are received from the connected cellular phones of the plurality of players; transmitting and receiving data of the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, to and from the cellular phones of the players, and at the same time, displaying, on the display, image data indicating game information shared by the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons; and transmitting image data, indicating game information individual to the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, to the cellular phones of the players.
 6. A game control method by which a game controller advances a game in a slot machine including a plurality of communication interfaces communicably connected to a monitoring server for monitoring operating status of an entirety of a plurality of slot machines and connectable to cellular phones of players, a memory for storing a program of a slot machine game and of a game different from the slot machine game and executed simultaneously by a plurality of persons, and a display for displaying image data of the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons by executing the program stored in the memory, the game control method comprising the steps of: receiving data indicating the operating status from the monitoring server by being connected to the cellular phones of the plurality of players; executing the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons under conditions where a value of the received data indicating the operating status is a predetermined value or less, and start signals of the game are received from the connected cellular phones of the plurality of players; transmitting and receiving data of the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, to and from the cellular phones of the players, and at the same time, displaying, on the display, image data indicating game information shared by the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons; and transmitting image data, indicating game information individual to the players in the game executed simultaneously by the plurality of persons, to the cellular phones of the players. 